Bdel"lium (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. ; cf. Heb. b'dolakh bdellium (in sense 1).]

1.

An unidentified substance mentioned in the Bible (Gen. ii. 12, and Num. xi. 7), variously taken to be a gum, a precious stone, or pearls, or perhaps a kind of amber found in Arabia.

2.

A gum resin of reddish brown color, brought from India, Persia, and Africa.

⇒ Indian bdellium or false myrrh is an exudation from Balsamodendron Roxbrghii. Other kinds are known as African, Sicilian, etc.

© Webster 1913.